Final answer:
The most common attachment for fixed orthodontic appliances is the bonded bracket, which holds the arch wire used to apply forces to the teeth for realignment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common type of attachment for fixed appliances in orthodontic treatment is the bonded bracket. Brackets are an essential component of braces, as they serve as the attachment points for the arch wire that applies the necessary forces to move teeth into their correct positions.
Orthodontic bands are another form of attachment that is often used for molars due to their larger size and need for a stronger grip, but they are less common than bonded brackets. Separators are used to create space between teeth before the placement of orthodontic bands. The arch wire itself is not an attachment but rather the medium through which force is applied to the brackets and, consequently, the teeth, as described by the tensions shown in Figure 4.37 and 4.38 in a textbook.